Device for connecting various floors of a construction located at different levels

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a device for connecting several superposed levels of a structure with an access surface. The device comprises at least two ramps articulated at their opposed outer extremities and positionable in one position in which they are aligned and another position in which the extremities opposite the articulated extremities are separated from one another by means of arms associated with and disposed laterally with respect to each ramp. The arms pivot in a frame at one extremity thereof under the action of a driving force; and the other extremity of each arm is provided with a roller for supporting the ramp. The pivoting movement of the arms associated with each ramp are arranged to counterbalance the movement of the other ramp.

ilnited States Patent [72] Inventor Leon G. Parent Liege, Belgium [21]Appl. No. 831,670 [22] Filed June 9, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 21, 1971[73] Assignee CIREB S.A. [32] Priorities June 12, 1969 [33] Belgium [31]41789;

May 6, 1969, Belgium, No. 42245 [54] DEVICE FOR CONNECTING VARIOUSFLOORS OF A CONSTRUCTION LOCATED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS 8 Claims, 6 DrawingFigs.

[52] U.S.C1 114/711, 105/368, 214/1618 [51] Int. Cl B653 11/00 [50]Field of Search 14/71; 105/368; 214/1618; 114/70 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,406,236 8/1946 McDougall 114/70 PrimaryExaminer-Jacob L. Nackenoff AllomeysRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel .1.Lobato ABSTRACT: Disclosed herein is a device for connecting severalsuperposed levels of a structure with an access surface, The devicecomprises at least two ramps articulated at their opposed outerextremities and positionable in one position in which they are alignedand another position in which the extremities opposite the articulatedextremities are separated from one another by means of arms associatedwith and disposed laterally with respect to each ramp. The arms pivot ina frame at one extremity thereof under the action of a driving force;and the other extremity of each arm is provided with a roller forsupporting the ramp. The pivoting movement of the arms associated witheach ramp .are arranged to counterbalance the movement of the otherramp.

WENTEU 0522? [an Y 3132 309 SHEET 2 1f 3 DEVICE FOR CONNECTING VARIOUSFLOORS OF A CONSTRUCTION LOCATED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS The inventionrelates to a device for connecting a selected one of several superposedsurfaces of a structure with an access surface, the device comprising aplurality of ramps each articulated about an axis at one end, and beingpivotable between; a first position in which they are in alignment, anda second position in which the extremities opposed to the articulatedextremities are spaced apart.

Various devices comprising two ramps articulated at their opposedextremities and being displaceable between a first position in which theramps are aligned and a second position in which from one another with aview to connecting a single access surface to two different levels of astructure, have been described in various patents prior to thisapplication.

US. Pat. No. 2406236 (McDougal) describes a system of ramps enabling anaccess way tobe put into communication with two superposed bridges in aship. The two ramps balance by means of a system of pulleys and thecontrol is ensured by a hydraulic jack. This device necessitates a superstructure in which the pulleys are lodged and which supports the ramps.

Another system is also composed of two mobile ramps and is described inFrench Pat. No. 368712 (Vestner). A system of chains ensures theequilibrium of one ramp with the other by means of arms; to each ramp isassociated an arm which is articulated at an extremity of the ramp andwhich is fixed at its other extremity to a link of the chain. Such asystem calls for a large consumption of energy.

In Belgian Pat. No. 532242, there is also described a system constitutedfrom two ramps, the equilibrium being ensured in this case by means oftwo racks engaging on a pinion. This device calls for a construction forlodging the racks and these racks are submitted to a large bucklingforce.

All of these devices have the disadvantage of using a bulky andcomplicated controlling balance system, necessitate a locking system toenable the passage on vehicles on the track constituted by the ramps,and do not include devices enabling, upon movement of the ramps, 2. slowstarting, then an accelerated movement followed by a deceleratedmovement and an arrival at the final position at reduced speed.

All of these systems thus necessitate a large force to overcome theinertia of the system upon starting, a braking device and shockabsorbers at the end of end of path. Additionally, in the devices whichhave been described, numerous elements are submitted to mechanicalefforts which render their adjustment difficult.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a deviceincluding; control system enabling static and dynamic equilibrium of oneramp by another, this system being such that, upon starting, themovement of the ramp firstly takes place at reduced speed, then thespeed increases in a constant manner until it attains the maximum andthen decreases in the same manner to be practically zero when theelements of the ramp reach the second position.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an easilyconstructed, compact device which enables access from a single accesssurface to a selected one of a plurality of superposed surfaces.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a devicewhich can be; constructed in a manner such that an exterior locking isnot necessary when a vehicle engages on the path constituted by theramps.

The device of the invention permits a modification in which threedifferent levels can be connected to a single access surface.

According to the present invention there is provided a device forconnecting a selected one of a plurality of superposed surfaces of astructure with an access surface. The device includes first and secondpivotable ramps, each ramp being hinged at an edge and pivotable betweena first position in which the ramps are in alignment and connect onesurface of the structure to the access surface and a second position inwhich the ramps are spaced apart, the first ramp in the second positionpermitting passage between the access surface and a different surface ofthe structure. A rotatable cranked arm is arranged to one side of eachramp for selective constant speed rotation to support the ramp in itsfirst position and to pivot the ramp between its first and secondpositions.

The invention can be better understood by referring to the accompanyingschematic figures of the drawings in which:

FIG. 11 illustrates a longitudinal vertical section of a device with twomobile ramps according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation taken from the [left side of FIG. 1 with certainparts shown schematically.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modification.

FIGS. '4, 5 and 6 are schematic views of a device with three mobileramps enabling the connection of three different levels.

In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, there isprovided a vehicle which access track I which is spaced from two levels2 and 3 intended to be put into connection with the track I. This iscarried out by means of a device consisting of two mobile ramps. Thefirst ramp 4 is articulated at 4a and a second ramp 5 is articulated at5a. Laterally with respect to these ramps are disposed the elements ofan equilibrium and control system. These comprise fixed pinions l2 and13 over which passes a chain 8. Arms 6 and 7 are rigidly fixed to thepivots P of pinions l2 and 13 which pivots P are journaled for rotationin the fixed structure. Ramps 4 and 5 rest on arms 7 and 6 respectivelythrough the intermediary of rollers 18, I7. There is thus constituted amechanical liaison between the two ramps 4 and 5. A reducing motor 9with transmission screw 10, drives the chain 8 by means of atransmission chain 11, which enables; displacement of the arms 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, elements 6', 7', 8'11, 12' and 13 are symmetricallydisposed to the elements 6, 7, 8, I1, 12 and 13 with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the device. A shaft 14 ensures the transmission ofthe movement of motor 9 to the chains transmission II and II. Cross"beam 15 connects the free extremities of arms 6 and 6' and the crossbeam 16 connects the free extremities of the arms 7 and 7' to providerigidity; the ramps 4, 5 rest on the free extremities of theirrespective anns 7, 6.

If the direction of rotation of the motor 9 is such that the chain 8turns in the direction of arrow X (FIG. 1), the arms 6 and 7 aredisplaced from the position shown in full lines to that represented indashed lines, that is to say from the position enabling connection ofthe access surface 1 with the surface 2 to that enabling the connectionof the surface 1 with the surface 3 by passing on the fixed part 3a.Considering the movement effected by the arms 6 under the action ofmotor 9, it is noted that the pivoting movement at 1:2 is accompanied bya displacement according to a circular arc of the cross beam 15 and alongitudinal displacement of the point of support of the ramp 5 on thecross beam I5. Conventional means for facilitating this movement can beused; the use of rollers 17 and 17' located under the ramp provesparticularly advantageous. Similarly, the ends of the arm can carryrollers 18 and 18' supporting the ramp 4.

It is noted that in the two extreme positions of the two ramps, the armsare perpendicular to the ramps which is associated therewith (FIG. 1).

If it is considered that the pivoting movement of the arms is producedat a constant angular speed at I2 and 13 and that the movement of theramp takes place from the positions shown in full lines towards theposition shown in dashed lines, it is noted that firstly, that is to sayup on starting, the rolling movement of the rollers under the ramp islarge but the angular speed of pivotting at 4a and 5a of the ramps issmall. In other words, the ramps begin to raise with a slow start;consequently, the couple which must be developed by the motor toovercome the inertia and the friction upon starting is low. When thearm, in this movement, is midway between its starting position shown infull lines and its final position shown in dashed lines, the speed ofrotation at 12 and 13 remaining constant, the speed with which the rampspivot at 4a and 5a is maximum, whilst the rolling of the rollers undertheir ramp is zero. Additionally, the distance between the point ofsupport of the ramp on the rollers and the point of pivoting of the rampwhich was at its maximum in the starting position, is thus minimum,hence making the arm of the lever shorter which also contributes to amaximum speed at minimum power.

Finally, the movement of rolling of the rollers with respects to theirramp takes place in the opposite direction, and, as the arms approachthe final position represented in dashed lines, the speed ofdisplacement of the ramps is reduced.

It is thus noted that it is not necessary to provide a braking systemwhich was necessary with the devices of the prior art.

The interest of this final movement with reduced speed is particularlyimportant when the starting position of the ramps is that shown indashed lines, and when the ramp 5 must be lowered and the ramp 4 mountedto cause the extremities of the ramps to prolong one another. Such anadjustment, which is particularly difficult even with a system ofbraking in the known devices, is easily accomplished with the system ofthe invention.

At 19 and 20 are shown path ends ensuring the stopping of the motor. Itwill be noted that it is not necessary, with the device of theinvention, to have an exactly precise path end, taking into account thesmall vertical displacement which means that the stopping of the armsneed not be rigorously exact.

With the system of mobile ramps of the invention, it is noted that anexterior locking system is not necessary in the extreme positions shownin full lines and dashed lines of FIG. 1. Because the arms areperpendicular in these positions to the track, they prevent any movementof the ramps even when a vehicle on the ramps unbalances the system. Thesimple inertia of the system will suffice to lock the device, even inthe case where the arms are not perfectly perpendicular to the ramp.

The use of a motor of lower power, which is made possible by means ofthe device of the invention, has for consequence that the accidentalintroduction of a object or a person between the two free extremities ofeach ramp when these approach one another cannot have undesirableconsequences since no large shearing force is developed.

Similarly, if the system is unbalanced by the passage over the ramp of avehicle or a person, the motor can longer cause a driving movement whichconstitutes a supplementary safety factor.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a particular embodiment of the invention inwhich the crossbeam 16 consists of a hollow tube which can turn onrollers 23 and 23' carried at the ends of arms 7 and 7'. In thisembodiment, the ramp consists of two longitudinal girders 21 and 22. Theseparation of the girders is such that vehicles of normal lateral wheelbase can make use of the ramp by rolling over the girders, the raisededges of the girders guiding the wheels of the vehicle.

Between and outside of the girders there can be provided, if desired,planking of lower strength, not shown, enabling the passage ofpedestrians.

The girders 21, 22 are mounted on the tube by several nylon rings 24 andthe movement of the arms 7 and 7' causes a rolling of the tube relativeto the rings 24.

The arms 6 and 6' have only been shown partially and the ramp associatedtherewith has been emitted for clarity of these drawings.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 there is represented in three different positions, asystem of ramps enabling connection, by three mobile ramps, of an accesssurface with three superposed surfaces.

The access surface 31 is in communication with level 32 in FIG. 4, withlevel 33 in FIG. 5, and with level 34 in FIG. 6.

The control and equilibrium device is composed of pairs of arms 35, 36,and 37 disposed laterally with respect to the ramps, as indicated forthe device with two mobile ramps of FIGS. 1 to 3, and supporting theramps by the intermediary of an arrangement (rollers or tubes), such asthat described in FIGS. I and 2 or 3. The arm 35 additionally comprisesa sector or wing 38 of which the function will be hereinafter indicated.The arms are rigidly fixed to pinions driven by the intermediary ofchains (not shown) by a motor (not shown).

Starting from the position shown in FIG. 4, the rotation of the pinionsresults in a descent of the ramp 39 whilst the ramp 40 is raised as haspreviously been indicated for the system with two mobile ramps.

The driving chain also causes pivoting of the arm 37 which, at thismoment, is not associated with any ramp.

Starting from the position of FIG. 4 where the arms 35 and 36 areperpendicular to the ramps 39 and 40, the position of FIG. 5 where thearms are once more perpendicular to the ramps is reached; the movementtakes place firstly at a slow speed, the speed then increasing andarrival in the position of FIG. 5 takes place at reduced speed as haspreviously been indicated. It is remarked that the ramp 39 is balancedby the ramp 40, whilst the ramp 41 rests on a fixed support 42 solid tothe frame.

Upon arriving in the position of FIG. 5, the arms 36 and 37 cross, itbeing understood that they are transversally displaced.

Starting from FIG. 5 where the arm 37 supports the ramp 39 and where thearm 36 now supports the ramp 41, the movement of the driving chaincauses actuation of the ramps 39 and 41 to reach the position of FIG. 6the movement taking place in the same conditions of speed as describedabove for the ramps 39 and 40.

The movement of the chain also causes a rotation of the arm 35 but theramp 40 is maintained in the horizontal position by the sector 38 whichrolls, without causing movement of the ramp, on a roller fixed on theramp 40.

It is thus seen that the device of the invention is applicable to a rampenabling access to three levels whilst conserving the characteristics ofthe system of the invention which are the perpendicularity of the armswith respect to the ramps which are located prolonging one another forthe passage of a vehicle, thus rendering superfluous an exterior lockingdevice, the slow starting movement of the ramps enabling the use of amotor having a weak couple upon starting and an arrival in position atreduced speed rendering superfluous a braking system and enabling aneasy positioning of the ramps to prolong one another.

A sector of the type of sector 38 which has been described referring toFIG. 4 can also be mounted on all of the ramps (whether they are for twoof three levels) to enable a starting without stress of the motor, thisthus serving upon starting solely to turn the arms and having solely toovercome the forces of friction without having to overcome the inertiaof the ramps. When the motor is started, the rollers carried at theextremity of the arms enter into contact with the ramp and cause themovement thereof. It is possible, in this manner, to ensure the startingof the motor in two phases and, if further desired, reduction of itspower. 7

It will also be remarked that the device according to the inventioncomprises only rigid or pivoting members and not supple or articulatedmembers such as cables, chains etc.

The device is such that the breakage of a driving chain for the arms onone of the sides of the device does not have a serious effect on thesafety of the device since it can easily be un derstood that it does notcause a fall of the ramps, but solely a greater mechanical stress at thepoints where the ramp pivots with respect to the fixed construction (4aand 5a in FIG. I) caused by torsion of the ramp. The device is such thatthanks to a rigidity to torsion (transversal moment of inertia) acontrol of simply one side is sufficient to ensure operation.

Whilst preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, itmust be understood that these have been given only by way of examplewithout intention of limiting the invention. Thus it is possible,because of the balancing of the ramps and the low work to be provided toactuate the ramps, to substitute, for the driving motor of the ramps, acrank enabling hand operation of the ramps, that the assemblyconstituted by the ramps, the control system and their framework, can bemobile to be displaceable for example on a site, or that several devicescan be disposed in succession for example in a multistory car park andin the floors of stores. 7

It is also possible to replace the chains by transmission controlsbetween the ramps constituted by mechanisms such as racks, hydraulicdevices and otherwise.

The invention is based on a rotational movement whatever be the form ofthe control member, combined with a displacement of the point of supportof the ramp on an extremity of this member.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for connecting a selected one of a plurality ofvertically spaced superposed surfaces of a structure with a horizontallyspaced access surface, including first and second ramps hingedrespectively to said access surface and one of said superposed surfaces,said ramps being pivotally movable between a first position in which theramps are in alignment and connect said access surface to said onesuperposed surface, and a second position in which the ramps are spacedapart, wherein the first ramp in the second position permits passagebetween the access surface and another said superposed surface of thestructure, the improvement which comprises rotatable crank arms mountedon said structure and arranged in vertical spaced relation, meansmounted on each said crank arm for movement therewith and for engagingits respective ramp spaced from the hinge thereof for movement alongsaid ramps to support said ramps and to cause pivotal movement of saidramps from one to another of said positions as said crank arms arerotated, and means for rotating said crank arms in coordinated relationto move said ramps in opposite directions whereby said first ramp ismoved up and said second ramp is moved down to position said ramps insaid first position and said first ramp is moved down and said secondramp is moved up to position said ramps in said second position.

2. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which said crank armsare disposed perpendicular to their respective ramps when said ramps aredisposed in said first and second positions.

3. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which one of saidarms is provided on each side of each said ramp.

4. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim I, in which said means forrotating said arms in coordlinated relations comprises a plurality ofpinions, one said pinion fixed to each said crank arm, chain meanslinking said pinions, and drive means for driving said chain means.

5. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim l, in which said meansmounted on each said arm for movement therewith comprises a rollerrotatably mounted on each said crank arm and engaging and rolling on theunderside of the respective ramp.

6. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising athird ramp hinged to a third said superposed surface, said third surfacebeing uppermost of said superposed surfaces, a third crank arm mountedto said structure to one side of said third ramp, means for rotatingsaid third crank arm with said other crank arms, means mounted on saidthird crank arm for movement therewith and engaging the underside ofsaid third ramp to cause pivotal movement of said third ramp as saidcrank arms are rotated, and means for pivoting said first ramp to athird position in alignment with said third ramp.

7. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which a first one ofsaid crank arms engages said first ramp to pivot it between said firstand second positions, a second one of said crank arms rotates in onedirection to engage said second ramp and pivot it between said first andsecond positions and rotates in the opposite direction to engage saidfirst ramp and pivot it between said first and third positions, and saidthird crank arm engages said third ramp and pivots it between said thirdposition and a position out of alignment with said first ramp, andfurther comprising a support member fixed to said structure forsupporting said second ramp when said second crank arm rotates in saidopposite direction.

8. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further comprising acircular sector element means fixed to said third crank arm for rotationtherewith and for lifting said third ramp to an elevated position whensaid first and second ramps are disposed in said second position.

1. In apparatus for connecting a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced superposed surfaces of a structure with a horizontally spaced access surface, including first and second ramps hinged respectively to said access surface and one of said superposed surfaces, said ramps being pivotally movable between a first position in which the ramps are in alignment and connect said access surface to said one superposed surface, and a second position in which the ramps are spaced apart, wherein the first ramp in the second position permits passage between the access surface and another said superposed surface of the structure, the improvement which comprises rotatable crank arms mounted on said structure and arranged in vertical spaced relation, means mounted on each said crank arm for movement therewith and for engaging its respective ramp spaced from the hinge thereof for movement along said ramps to support said ramps and to cause pivotal movement of said ramps from one to another of said positions as said crank arms are rotated, and means for rotating said crank arms in coordinated relation to move said ramps in opposite directions whereby said first ramp is moved up and said second ramp is moved down to position said ramps in said first position And said first ramp is moved down and said second ramp is moved up to position said ramps in said second position.
 2. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said crank arms are disposed perpendicular to their respective ramps when said ramps are disposed in said first and second positions.
 3. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which one of said arms is provided on each side of each said ramp.
 4. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for rotating said arms in coordinated relations comprises a plurality of pinions, one said pinion fixed to each said crank arm, chain means linking said pinions, and drive means for driving said chain means.
 5. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said means mounted on each said arm for movement therewith comprises a roller rotatably mounted on each said crank arm and engaging and rolling on the underside of the respective ramp.
 6. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a third ramp hinged to a third said superposed surface, said third surface being uppermost of said superposed surfaces, a third crank arm mounted to said structure to one side of said third ramp, means for rotating said third crank arm with said other crank arms, means mounted on said third crank arm for movement therewith and engaging the underside of said third ramp to cause pivotal movement of said third ramp as said crank arms are rotated, and means for pivoting said first ramp to a third position in alignment with said third ramp.
 7. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which a first one of said crank arms engages said first ramp to pivot it between said first and second positions, a second one of said crank arms rotates in one direction to engage said second ramp and pivot it between said first and second positions and rotates in the opposite direction to engage said first ramp and pivot it between said first and third positions, and said third crank arm engages said third ramp and pivots it between said third position and a position out of alignment with said first ramp, and further comprising a support member fixed to said structure for supporting said second ramp when said second crank arm rotates in said opposite direction.
 8. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a circular sector element means fixed to said third crank arm for rotation therewith and for lifting said third ramp to an elevated position when said first and second ramps are disposed in said second position. 